Working towards an Organic World with Organic Cotton
You may be thinking, what exactly does organic cotton mean?
Many of us do not realise that the garments we wear came from the soil in the ground. Cotton is grown in a field, the fibre is picked and is then spun into thread. Cotton is breathable, moveable, and easy to produce. Cotton is one of the most commonly used fabrics in fashion in the world, over half of the clothes sold in the UK are made from cotton.
Organic is the only system that eliminates highly toxic substances from the environment and works with a focus on the longer-term for the people and the planet. Organic cotton combines tradition and innovation and it ensures a good quality of life for all those involved in the production of the cotton.
What should you know about organic cotton?
Organic cotton is made from non-genetically modified plants that are grown without the use of any synthetic agricultural chemicals such as fertilisers or pesticides. For us as consumers, the fabric is softer, lowers our impact during the 'use' stage and the quality lasts longer as no chemicals have been used in the growth of the plant. This makes it better for the environment, the climate and the health of the people involved. Instead of using fertilisers, farmers can use natural deterrents such as garlic, chillies or soap to get rid of pesticides without affecting the necessary ones needed for the wellbeing of the plant.
5 Benefits of organic cotton which will make a difference in all our lives:
- Healthier soil - organic farmers use natural methods like composting to create healthy soil. Healthy soil acts like a sponge, soaking up water during floods and holding it for longer during droughts.
- No polluting pesticides - hazardous synthetic pesticides need to be diluted to bring them to 'safe' levels when they enter waterways - over one- fifth of water used to grow non-organic cotton is used for this purpose. This is not the case for organic cotton because hazardous synthetic pesticides are banned in organic farming.
- Better watering systems - most organic cotton is grown in rain-fed areas, which means farmers rely on rain to water their cotton, instead of having to extract water from the ground which can put pressure on water supplies in local communities.
- Organic cotton contributes to combating climate change - with farmers using natural organic methods to grow cotton and by working with nature, farmers build healthier soil which stores carbon and as soil microbes break down carbon compounds and then use them for growth a proportion of this will respire back into the atmosphere.
- It promotes safe work & better livelihoods - Growing organic cotton keeps farmers and their families safe. They are not exposed to toxic chemicals in the field or through their food and water supply. It also means farmers grow more than one crop which supplements their food and income.
Why you should work towards an organic world with us at Kanula:
In the grand scheme of things, when you buy organic cotton you are investing in water conservation, cleaner air, better soil and farmer livelihoods which is a lot more than just a new clothing garment. This is why the price of organic cotton is therefore sometimes, but not always, higher. However, with demand on the rise, more choices will become available and at Kanula we can’t wait to have the capacity to offer a full organic clothing range.
Caring for the world and the people we share it with is a life choice. Choosing organic cotton is part of this choice. In 2015, 26 million metric tonnes of cotton was produced globally, much of it for the apparel industry. Organic cotton makes up less than 1% of this. By choosing organic over conventional cotton you have the purchasing power to influence brands, manufacturers and even farmers. So let’s change the planet for the better, one step at a time!
